Ore, bulk or dense cargo carrier.



H. P. PRBAR. ORE, BULK 0R DENSE CARGO CARRIER.

PPLICATION FILED $EPT.3,1913

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' INVENTOR 0 CZ QW,

ATTORNEYS wnussses H. P. PREAR. ORE, BULK 0R DENSE CARGO CARRIER. I APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3,1913. 1 1 1 1 ,74() Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS H. P. PREAR.

, Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

GSHEBTS-SHEETS.

ORE, BULK 0R DENSB CARGO CARRIER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3,1913.

ATTUIINEYS A A f my 8 i a 8 Z a W H. P. PREAR. ORB, BULK 0R DENSE CARGO GARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s, 1913.

1, 1 1 1 ,740, Patentids H8332. 32 13 14.

1 CD Q Q 3 ZQGBW G Z7 G30 u G CD /9 Q Q Q C) C) Q Q Q Q 63 c) 9 A; Y' I monuaW H. P. FREAR. ORB, BULK 0R DENSE CARGO CARRIER. APPLIGATIOIY EILED SEPT. s, 1913.

Patented Sept. 29,1914.

{'5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

ATTORNEYS H. P. FREAK. ORB, BULK OR DENSE CARGO CARRIER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s, 1913.

1,1 1 1 ,740, Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

6 SHEET-SHEET 6.

f w INVENTOR ATTORNEYS To all whom it may concern conromrron, or JERSEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HUGO P. OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGlN'OR T BETHLEHEM STEEL SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW one, BULK on DENSE canoe CARRIER.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

A pplieation filed September 3, 1913. Serial No. 787,831.

Be it known that I, HUGO, P. FREAK, a

. citizen of the United States, residing in the city andcounty of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a new and useful Ore, Bulk or Dense Cargo Carrier, of which the following is a specification;

My invention relates to a novel construction of a vessel forcarrying ore, bulk or other cargo, wherein I elevate and locate the cargo hold or central cargo space in substantially the central portion of the vessel with respect to the sides thereof, and

locate on each side of said cargohold, a plurality of tanks or water ballast chambers, while a pluralit of tanksor water ballast chambers are a so located below said side chambers and central cargo space, said cargo hold and water. tanks 'beingcollocated and proportioned with respect to each other ina novel manner,

I My invention further consists in the novel combination and collocation ,of the cargo hold or central cargo space, side and bottom water ballast tanks, with a system of piping for filling and emptying said side and bottom tanks, whereby the disposition of the material has the greatest efiect, and the hulllof the vessel is subjected to minimum stresses and strains, thereby offering increased resistance to the elements and greater 1 safety at sea.

construction above described, any required condition of trim, stability, etc., wlth any Further, by means of'the kind or quantity of cargo carried, can be obtained, thereby greatly reducing all the usualstresses and strains, and resulting in a vessel which will have the minimum rolling motion in a sea way, and with the consequent greater sea-worthiness and facility of operation.

My inventionfurther relates to a novel Dconstruction of vessel,wherein I am enabled, if' desired, to simultaneously transport bulk or other cargoes in the 'central cargo space or holdor holds, and bulk liquid or other cargoes or stores 1n the slde or lower tanks, it being. apparent that b m novel construction, I may',.1fldesir'e utilize the entire cargo holds and any portion of the upper and lower compartments or ballast tanks for the transportation of car 'oes.

o the above ends, my novel invention tion, I am enabled to elevate and contract the cargo hold to .the greatest possible extent, in order to insure the ,most desirable conditions for (1) loading and discharging; (2) distribution of the cargo; (3) minimizing damage to the hold or central cargo space by falling cargo; ;(4) an equally desirable metacentric height, 'or degree of stability with ore or other dense cargoes as if the vessel was designed according to ordinary practice and loaded with a cargo of average density, properly stowed; (5) stowing the cargo in'a contracted space and thereby reducingits liability to shift in a sea way; (6) elevating the ore or other dense cargo to bring its center of gravity approximately in the same position as though the hold was of ordinary design and loaded, with-a cargo of average densit properly stowed, thereby reducing the ten ency of the vessel to roll to excess in a sea way, and thereby still further reducing the the space or spacesso exclusively used-would be exempted in the measurement for netv tonnage; (8) arranging the water ballast tanks so .that all or a part of the water ballast can be carried in the top side wing tanks to accomplish similar results so far as stability is concerned, as by elevating the cargo; (9) providing'water ballast capacity in excess of cargo'hold capacity, (a) to secure a minimumfgross and net tonnage consistent withi them'ost advantageous stowage of ore or other dense cargo; '(b) to facilitate distribution of water ballast in such compartments as will give the most desirable stability, draft and trim under every possible servicecondition.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings, one form thereof which is at pres'-.

board profile thereof. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of Fi' 1, showing the general ar.-

rangement of t e upper deck and its adjuncts. Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal, horizontal, diagrammatic section taken on line y-y Fig. 1, showing the top of the double bottom under the cargo hold, and also the side tanks. Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal, horizontal section on line. w-m

Fig. 1, showing the eneral arrangement of the lower water bfilast tanks under the cargo holds and side tanks, and the piping therefor. Fig. 5 represents, on an enlarged scale, a vertical, transverse, sectional view 7 on line y-y, Fig. 1, showing the internal construction of the side and bottom water ballast tanks, and transverse bulkheads in the cargo hold. Fig. 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, a sectional view on line zz Fig. 1, showing the section at a side of. a swash bulkhead. Fig. 7 represents a section on'line ww, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 represents a section on line {12 -40 Fig. 5. Fig. 9 represents a section on line CD, Fig. 5. Fig. .10 represents a sectional detail of the strongback, located between the hatches except where bulkheads are shown. Fig. 11 represents a section on line E-F Fig. 10. Fig. 12 represents a section on line AB, Fig. 5. Figs. 13 and 14 represent transverse sections showing the relative locations of cargo hold and side and bottom tanks.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :1. designates my novel construction of ore or other cargo carrying vessel, the same being shown in inboard profile in Fig. 1, while the plan of the upper deck will be understood from Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a number of cargo holds, as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 which in the present instance are six in number, although the number can' be greater or less, as required, or the hold may be fitted with partial bulkheads, so that the hold will be continuous for the full length of the cargo space. These holds are elevated and located in a central position, transversely, of the vessel, and extend longitutan 5 and the space therein bein vessel is located a plurality of closed or' water-tightvlower tanks 10,which may be of any desired number, said tanks extending the full or to any desi'red length of the car 0 holds below the latter, and the side utilized for water ballast, when the vessel 1s without -cargo, or for buoyancy when loaded with cargo. t e j 11 designates the side walls of the cargo holds, between which and the sides 12 of t e vessel are located 'a series or plurality of longitudinally extending closed or watertight side tanks 13, which extend the fun length of the cargo holds fore and aft, or to any desired length with respect thereto. The space in these longitudinally extending side tanks 13 is employed for water ballast when the vessel is not loaded, or for buoyancy when said vessel is loaded with cargo, and ,these longitudinally extending side tanks 13 in conjunction with the bottom tanks 10 form a complete innershell'of the vessel, and are used for the various conditions and requirements or nature of the cargoto insure proper trim, .stability and strength.

Referring to the righthand end of Fig. 1, 14 designates a ballast tank, which is lo cated in the forwardend of the vessel, and is separate from and adjacent to the ex-- treme forward ballast tank 15, the water.

tank 16 being located directly above said ballast tank '14. Referring to the lefthand end ofFig. 1, 42 designates the after peak water ballast trimming tank. 17 designates a man-hole leading to the water ballast tank or tanks 14 or 16.

For the purpose of roviding ready and convenient access to the side longitudinal tanks 13, as well as the bottom tanks 10, I provide a series of man-holes'which may be of varied construction, according to requirements and provided with the usual covers.

I preferabl employ water-ti ht trunks 18, extending rom the upper dec to the lower tank or tanks 10, so that access may be had at .all times to said lowertanks 10, even though the side tanks 13 are full of water ballast or liquid argo, as will be understood from Figs. 3 and 13, an required number of trunks 18 being provi ed for ready'access to said bottom tanks, 10. A

One preferred arrangement of the cargo space and side and lower tanks is shown in Fig. 13, in section, and consists of lower tanks, 10, 10, arranged side by side, and

upperside .tanks'13 located between the sides of the cargo space or holds, and the sides 12 of the vessel. The esential arrangement of the central cargo space or I have deemed it unnec'essaryto show more "holds and; tanks 10andv 13 such, that the A hold or central cargo space is locatedl' center of the vessel with respecttolthesifdes 1p thereof, and a certain distance-=abovithei; keel or bottom, with the ballast tanks-"13' on each side of said cargo space, and "arranged, between the sides of said cargo space and."

the outer shell of the vessel. Between the bottom 8 of thecentral cargo space or holds and'the keel or bottom 9 of the vessel, are located the lower .tanks- 10, extending the full width of thevessel, with a; longitudinal water-tight bulkhead 19 the-center, as will be best understood from Figs. -i and 13,

the object ofwhichis to subdivide the tanks,

so that any desired amount. .or distribution of ballast or liquid or other cargo can be effected. v v v v The arrangement of tanks shown in Fig. 13 provides for four separate and distinct tanks, as13, 13, '10, and 10, in the cross section of the vessel; This arrangement, however, may be modified in various particulars.

than one of these modifications, which is shown in 14, wherein the side ballast tanks 13 extend'fromrthe upper deck to the I bottom of the vessel, and the lower tank 10 is shown as extending between the bottom of the central cargo space 8 and the keel or bottom 9 of the vessel below the central cargo space and between the longitudinal 'bulkheads of' the side tanks 13. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that other variations in the arrangement or collocation of the. side. and bottom tanks maybe employed, without departing 7 from the spirit ofmy invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled the art that although the plans andillustrations only showa vessel with one continuous deck for the full length of the vessel, that more than this number can be fitted, without departing from the spirt of my invention.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shownfthe ships structure with the Isherwood '.(longitudinal) system offraming, but my invention readil lends itself to the transverse system of raming or any other type of construction. The illustrations showing my invention, seeF that I can rapidly fill vor 'empty any of the- P p g ma h n ysamel with waterballast 'or -of OI't- In -Fig. 3, I have shown one system .of piping which may be utilized in conjunction.

with the side-tanks 13, wherein I employ-a liquid cargo that it maybe desired to transmain line 'ofpiping 20, having asection 21 for each of thesidetanks 13. It will be apparent that thesystem of piping em-. ployedon bothsides of the vessel for said side tanks is substantially the same, and therefore a description of one side will suffice for, both. By'means of the extension 22, .a suitable connection or communication may be had with any desired type of pumppose of filling or emptying the side tanks '13. It will be understood that all the sections 21 are provided with suitable means for controlling the same, from the upper deck or other desired point, such as valves of any desired type, equipped with attachments ,to enable said valves to be opened or closed from the deck or any other desired location. M

- In Fig. 4, I have shown a preferred method tanks 10 and the peak tanks 14 "and 15 can be filled or emptied. This consists of a main line of piping 23', having separate sections 24, leading to the lower tanks at one side of the vessel, while separate connections 25 are employed, leading to the tanks on the o posite side, whereby said tanks may be led or emptied, according to requirements, a suitable connection or communication being had through the pipe. or extension 26 to any suitable pumping apparatus, or other means, for filling and emptying the same. One preferred location of the connections 22 and 26 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but this ing apparatus or other means, for the pur- -or system of piping, by which the lower arrangement canbe altered to suit any requirements of cargo ballast or location of The construction of vessel hereinabove described is especially favorable for the car- I riage of heavy bulk cargoes, but readily natur'es,by arranging the sizes and locations of the cargo spaces or holds and side and lower tanks to suit the individual requirements. This type of ship provides various means of arrangingv cargospaces, so that the greatest speed and facility in loading, trimming and discharging can be attained. The

adaptable to the carriage of cargoes of other I design further provides a construction by which bulkor other cargoes can be carried in the central cargo space, and bulk liquid or other cargoes or, stores in the side and lower tanks.

- Figs. 5,6 and 7 illustrate in transverse sections, the various structural details .of. the vessel, .the' scantlings and other details of which may be arranged to suit the various requirements. the construdion 'seen Fig. 5, it will be evident that the side water tank 13 seen therein is a separate compartment from the lower water tank 10, being divided therefrom by means of water-tight divisional plates or deck 27 as will be un derstood from Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The side tanks 13 are closed at each end by means of water-tight bulkheads 28, see Fig. 5. In an intermediate position between these-watertight bulkheads 28, is located a swash bulkhead 29, see Fig. 6, ifthe length of tank necessitates such construction, said bulkhead having openings" 30 therein, through which water or the liquid cargo can 'flow from end to end of the tank. In intermediate positions, as arranged between the swash bulkhead 29, seeFig. 6, and the water-tight' bulkheads 28, see Fig. 5, transverse .web

frames 31 are arranged as required, to suit the length of the tank, or construction of the vessel, as will be "readily understood from Fig. 7. It will be understood that the construction and location of water-tight bulkheads, swash bulkheads, and transverse web frames for the lower tanks10will correspond in a general way with the description .given above for the side tanks 13.

- Again referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the lower ballast or liquid cargo tanks 10 are provided with a longitudinally arranged swash bulkhead 32, extending in an intermediate position between the center line bulkhead and sideof vessel, from end to end of said lower tanks 10. This bulkhead 32 is provided with suitable openings, so that'each part of the tank on each side ofthe center line bulkhead 19 is in communication. In .Fig. 5, I have shown, in dotted lines, at 43and 44, a construction of' a partial transverse bulkhead,in the car- 0 holds, by which the lower portion ofthe fiulkhead is dispensed with, so that the holds, 2, 3, 4, 5,6. and 7 may be continuous, if'desired. I In Fig. 8, I have shown a detail construction of the vertical stifiening 33 on the transverse bulkheads 28 of the ballast or liquid cargo tanks 10 and 13, the same extending from, the upper deck 34 to the bottom 9 of the vessel or steamer.

The details of the scantlings and construction of the vessel will of necessity be in accordance with the size of the vessel, and

I the requirements of the various countr es in which the vessels are constructed or 0 erated, and the requirements of the cla cation societies with which they are classed,

' and therefore do not require any further detailed explanation.

The arrangement of the hatches 39, der-l rick posts 40, platforms 41, etc, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 1s the arrangement I prefer for an ore carrying steamer engaged m a particular service, but this general a meat and the details thereof can. be modified and altered, soas to conform with any desired requirements for various kinds of cargo and conditions and equipment for loading and discharging. F1gs. 1 and 2 show details of construction of said hatches, derrick posts and platforms, which I preferably employ in the present instance, but it will be understood that these details maybe modified to suit the various requirements,-

36 of the central cargo space with the plat ing 35 over the top of said central cargo space between the hatches.

and I therefore deem it unnecessary to describe the same more minutely.

- Fig. 9 shows a method of'co'nnect' the .upper portion of the transverse b eads Figs. 1, 2, 10 and 11 illustrate the loca tion and construction of the strong backs.

while I have illustrated my invention as applied to a vessel fitted with boilers and engines', the broad principle of my invention can be equally well applied to. vessels or hulls, with org-without any type of .propelling machinery orother means of propulsion. I

It will be seen from the foregoing that my' novel design of vessel is especially adapted to carry ore or other cargoes, so dense that only a small percentage of the 'space usually assigned for cargo 1s' required for stowage.

It be apparent from the foregoing that I attain a distinct advantage over prior devices, since (a) I elevate the bottom of the cargohold (the same being an inte l part of the main above the height usually -employe structure of the b so that the center 'of gravity of the ore or other dense cargo would be approximatelyat the same heig t as the center of gravity of a cargo of average or lesser densitay properly stowed'in a ships hold designe practice. I

(b) I water-tight for the full 'width of the hold and preferably extend itacross the full width of the vessel. I also subdivide the space'below the cal-go hold, as-abovedo.

scribed, by transverse divisions or bulkheads according to common make the bottom or floor of the hold into water-tight compartments. I also pref erably further subdivide the sp'ace by fittin a longitudinal center line water-tight bul ead. The compartments are consequently fittedeither exclusively for" water ballast'or in whole or in, part for carrying any kind of liquid cargo 'or stores,- when the as above described, is further subdivided by additional longitudinal bulkheads,and' these additionalbulkheads may or may not be water-tight.

(c) In order to facilitate loading and discharging the ore or other dense cargo,

and in order to reduce the width of the hold, as above described, thereby ermitting the ore or other-dense cargo to eloaded to a greater depth, and being distributed over a greater length'of the vessel, and to better safeguard against the cargo shifting transversely in a sea way, and in. order to permit a suflicient quantity of water ballast tobe carried above ,the level of the 'floor of'th'e main cargo hold, .as' above described, to secure a desirable metacentric height when the vessel is-in-ballastor partly loaded, a

longitudinal water-tight ibulkhead" is fitted on each side of'the hold, preferably extending'the full length of the hold and preferably extending to the'deck at the top of the I said cargo hold, as above described. In lieu? of extendingthese lon I p I I p the deck at the top o the cargo hold, they may extend up any distance above the floor of the said-hold, to the inner ed e of a- 'tudinal bulkheads to v stringer or flat extending outboar to the ships side plating. The space thus formed .between the above longitudinal bulkheads and the ships side plating and between the level of the 'saidcargo hold" and' deck or stringer, the case may be, is subdivided by transverse divisions-or bulkheads. The

compartments" into: which the; above wing spaces, are divided may be fitted exclus1vely for water. ballast: orin whole or in part, for

the use of any-kind" of liquid )cargo or stores or coal, when the vessels hold, as above .described, i's,or is not, loaded, or is partl loaded with itsdesigned cargo, or when it is loaded with a cargoofdiflerent or average density. f

(d) The arrangementand combined capacity of the ballast tanks; located below the.

level of the bottomsoofthe-hold, together with the, wing ballast tanksfsituated' above the level of the bottom ofthe hold, and bea tween the longitudinal bulkheads and ships side plating,,as above described, preferably have capacity forv more water ballast than would be required or could be carried in any service condition, the advantage being that the ballast can be distributed in the upper or lower compartments tosecure the most desirable draft, trim and stability in all possible service conditions, and at the same time exempting as much spaceraspossible from the net tonnage measurement.

(e) By reducing the transverse sectional 7 area of the cargo hold or central cargo space. by elevating the bottom, and still further by reducing its width in the manner above described, the gross and net tonnage is reore or other dense hold is subdivided by transverse bulkheads or by partial bulkheads, where the propelling machinery is fitted aft, or if the hold'is divided by fitting the propelling machinery in whole or in part, amidships' The numher, size and character of the hatches is also immaterial. It is also immaterial whether the design or construction of the vessel, forward or aft ofthe cargo holds, is ecial, or according to common practice. It- ISBJSO limmd aterialdwlirat Iarrangements are iiade for 0a mg an lsc argin car 0 or andlmg fuel or ballast. These flay ii on the vesse or on shore.' It is also immaterial whether the vessel is self-propelled or towed or, if

self-propelled, whether coal or liquid fuel is used, or whether or not the vessel carries passengers,

It will. now be apparent that I have devised ainoveland useful construction ofan on, bulk or dense cargo carrier, which embodies the features of advantageenumerated as desirable in the statement of the invendescribed a preferred embodiment thereof which will be found in practice to give sat-- isfactory and reliable results, it 1s to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advanta V aving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

- 1. A vessel of the character described, comprising an outer main shell, a lon 'tudinall extendin cargo hold arrange tral y within t e main outer shell with its bottom wall elevated a substantial distance from the :bottom wall of the main shell, closed side tanks arranged between the cargo hold and the side walls of the main censhells and ada ted for the reception of a liq-.

bein divided by a central closed bulkheadand avin o n communication to said side shells, an t e combined capacity of said side tanks and lower tanks being greater central portion of the main outer shell with its bottom wall spaced a substantial distance from the bottom wall of the main outer shell, closed tanks arranged between the side walls of the main outer shell and cargo hold and extending for a substantial distance above the bottom wall of the cargo hold, lower closed tanks arranged between the bottom wall of the cargo hold and the bottom wall of the main outer shell extend- V ing entirely, across the bottom of the cargo hold and the bottom of the closed side tanks, means for supplying a ballast liquid 4. A vesse comprising a main outer shell, a lo'ngitudiv into each of the lower tanks, said lower tanks being divided by a. central closed bulkhead and having open communication to the side shells, and trunks extending substantially vertically through the side tanks into the lower tanks for afl'ording access to the latter.

3. In a vessel of 'the character described, anelevated longitudinally extending cargo -hold, centrally located with respect to the sides of said vessel, a plurality of closed, water-tight side tanks adapted for water ballast or liquid or other cargo, located on each side of said cargo hold, a plurality of lower, closed, water-tight tanks adapted for water ballast or liquid cargo, extending longitudinally of said vessel under said side water tanks and cargo hold, said'side and lower tanks being separated from each other, and peak tanks 14,15 and 16 located in the forward part of the vessel, said tank 14 being located in juxtaposition to the forward end of said cargo hold, said tank- 16 being located above said tank 14, and said tank 15 -bein forward ofthe tank 14.

of the character described,

nally extendingcargo hold located in the central portion of said main outer shell,

with its bottom wall spaced a substantial distance from the bottom wall of said mainouter shell, closed tanks arranged between the side walls of the main outer shell andcargo hold and extending for a substantial distance above the bottom wall of the cargo chamber, lower closed tanks arranged between the bottom wall of the cargo chamber and the bottom wall of the main outer shell extending entirely across the bottom of said cargo hold and the bottom of the closed side tanks, and means for independently or s1multaneously mtroducin a ballast liquid onlllquid cargo into each 0 said lower tanks, sa1

ower tanks being divided by a central cargo hold being elevated above the keel to a height in excess of the usual proportions or depth with respect to the depth of the vessel, and the width of said side tanks being so proportioned with respect to the width of said cargo hold, that cargoes of any density will have approximately the same metacentric height as cargoes of lesser or average density in ships of ordinary construction, the combined capacity of said side tanks and lower'tanks being greater than the capacity of said cargo hold.

5. A vessel of the character described, comprising a main outer shell, a longitudinally extending cargo hold located in the central portion of said main outer shell,

with its bottom wall spaced a substantial distance from the bottom wall of the main outer shell, closed tanks arranged between the side walls of said main outer shell and cargo hold and extending for a substantial distance above the bottom wall of said hold being elevated above the keel to a height in excess of the usual proportions or depth with respect to the depth of the ves sel, and the width of the saidside tanks being so proportioned with respect to the width of the cargo hold that with cargoes of heavy density, the vessel will have approximately the'same metacentric height as with ordinary cargoes of lesser or average density in ships of ordinary construction.

6. A vessel of the character described, comprising a main outer shell, a longitudinally extending cargo holdlocated in the central portion of said main outer shell, with its bottom wall spaced asubstantial distance from the bottom wall of the main outer shell, closed tanks arranged between to receive a liquid ballast or a liquid cargo i and being divided by a central closed bulkhead and having open communication to said side shells, and trunks extending down- Wardly from the deck of the vessel through said side tanks into said lower tanks for affording access to said lower tanks under the cargo hold, the bottom of said cargo hold being elevated above the keel to a height in excess of the usual proportions or depth With respect to the depth of the vessel, and the width of the said side tanks being so proportioned with respect to the width of the vessel that with cargoes of heavy density the vessel will have approximately the same metacentric height as with ordinary cargoes of lesser or average'density in ships of ordinary construction, the combined capacity of said side tanks and said lower tanks arranged under said cargo hold being greater than the capacity of said cargo hold.

7. A vessel of the character described, comprising a main outer shell, a longitudinally extending cargo hold located in the central portion of said main outer shell, with its bottom wall spaced a substantial distance from the bottom wall of said main outer shell, tanks arranged between the side walls of the main outer shell and cargo hold and extending for a substantial dis tance above the bottom wall of said cargo chamber, and lower closed tanks arranged between the bottom wall of the cargo chamber and. the bottom wall of the main outer shell and extending entirely across the bottom of said cargo hold, said tanks being adapted to contain a ballast liquid or liquid cargo, said lower tanks being divided by a central closed bulkhead and having open communication to the side shells, the bottom of said cargo hold being elevated above the keel to a height in excess of the usual proportions or depth with respect to the depth of the vessel, and the widthof said side tanks being so proportioned with respect to the width of said cargo hold, that cargoes of any density will have approximately the same metacentric height as cargoes of lesser or .varied density in ships of ordinary construction, the combined capacity of said side tanks and lower tanks being greater than the capacity of said cargo hold.

HUGO P. FREAR. 

